Mechanism for cushioning traversing beds of reciprocating machinery



(No Model.)

, H. P. FEISIT-ER. MEGHANISM FOR GUSHIONING TRAVBRSING BEDS 0]? REGIPROGATING MACHINERY.

No. 404,394. Patented June 4, 1889.

AM-sf, 69/42 Nv PETERS. Fhclo-Lilhngrlphar. Washingion, D. C.

UNITED STATES PATENT,

HENRY P. FEISTER, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLYANIA. f

MECHANISM FOR CUSHIONING TRAVERSING BEDS 0F RECIPROCATING MACHINERY.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 404,394, dated June 4, 1889.

Application filed July 26, 1888. Serial No. 281,099. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY P. FEISTER, of the city and countyof Philadelphia, and State of Pennsylvania, have invented an Improvement in Cushioning Mechanism for Traversing Beds of ReciprocatingMachinery, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to m echanism for cushioning traversing beds of reciprocating machinery; and it consists of certain improvements, which are fully set forth in the following specification, and shown in the accompanying drawing.

My invention is particularly adapted to printing-presses in which there is a traversing bed passing with a regular reciprocation of the type-form bed under the printing or impression cylinder, the throw of which it is desirable to limit or cushion at the end of each forward and backward reciprocation; but it is manifest that my invention is equally adapted to any other machinerysuch as planing-machines-in which similar reciprocating beds are used, and in my description and drawing I illustrate my invention as applied to a printing-press merely because-of its peculiar adaptability to that machine. Heretofore this cushioning of the traversing or reciprocating bed has been accomplished either by the use of cylinders fixed at the ends of the frame,which plungers, fixed to the bed, enter on the backward and forward reciprocation, thereby forming a cushion of the air compressed in the cylinder and limiting the throw of the bed, or a cylinder has been used, carried by the bed itself, with plungers fixed on the ends of the frame, acting in a similar manner and for a similar purpose as in the former case; or spring buffers or levers have been employed, against which the traversing frame strikes for the purpose of limiting the throw. These constructions are objectionable, because the strain exerted upon the entire machine is not equally distributed, but is exerted at one end only on each reciprocation of the traversing bed, and the attachment of cylinders or plun gers to the traversing bed encumbers it with a large additional weight, which necessarily interferes with its freedom of operation. My invention is intended to remedy these evils by equally distributing the strain over the entire frame of the machine2'. e., by exerting it always at its central and strongest part and by freeing the traversing bed of the cumbersome weight of cylinders or plungers carriedv by it. These objects I accomplish by means of a cylinder closed at the top and pivoted to the bottom 011 a transverse axis and central portion of the frame of the machine having a piston-rod and piston pivoted to the central part of the traversing bed; also, on a transverse axis which, in each forward and backward reciprocation, is drawn up into the closed cylinder, forming a cushion of compressed air therein, and thereby limiting the throw of the machine in a gentle manner.

In the drawing is shown a sectional side view of a printing-press provided with my improved mechanism for limiting the throw of the traversing bed in its reciprocation.

A is the i1npression-cylinder, and F is the feeding-table.

B is the traversing bed, and C an anti-frietion -roller frame running on the rails or guideway D; but the particular construction of this traversing bed and the mechanism by which the reciprocations are imparted to it are immaterial to my invention, which lies in the means of limiting and cushioning the throw of any traversing bed having a back-and-forth reciprocation. Any of the well-known means maybe employed to impart this reciprocation.

E is the main frame of the machine, having at its base a foundation-girder L, located at or near its central part and carrying a transverse bearing-pin K.

G is a cylinder having a closed top and open at the bottom. I This cylinder is pivoted by a lug or extension to the bearing-pin K, on which it is free to oscillate.

H is a piston-rod having a piston I working in the cylinder. The end of this piston-rod is pivoted at h to the traversing bed, so that in the forward and backward reciprocations of that bed the piston is drawn up in the cylinder and the air 1S compressed, forming a cushion in the closed end of the cylinder, and

IOO

in the cylinder by freipwnt compression and escape would become rarefied and the cushioning would not be accomplished. I lind it beneficial to provide the upper part of the 5 cylinder with a springrelief-valve J, whereby the amount of air in the cylinder and the consequent cushion may be regulated. Brackets or arms extend from the base of the cylinder, to which springs M are attached, connecting with the foundation-girder L or otherwise, to the lframe of the machine to equalize the tension and more easily return the cylinder to a vertical position. By means of adjusting-screws N the tension of these springs I 5 may be regulated as desired.

The operation of the machine is as follows: In the backward and forward reciprocations of the traversing bed the piston-rod and its piston are drawn up in the cylinder by the movementof the bed to which they are attached, the cylinder oscillating with said movements and the air forming a cushion in the top of the cylinder and thereby limiting the throw of the bed and arresting its terminal. movements gently.

Ashereinbe'fore stated, my invention is not limited to use on a printing -press, but is adapted to any machine in which there is a reciprocating or backward and forward trav- 0 ersingbed. The minor details of construction are not to be considered limitations of my invention, as it apparent they may be varied in many ways without in the least departing from its principles.

It will be seen that by pivoting the cylinder at the central portion of the machine the strain exerted equally distributed and does not bear upon the ends or upper part of the machine, as in the devices at present em- 0 ployed, whereby the machine is strained and weakened.

The springs M. in a great measure counter balance the weight;- of the cyliiuler and piston during its oscillation.

It is evident that I may employ a vacuum for the same purpose as the compression of the air in the cylinder. This could be ac eomplished. by eliminating the aperture and closing the bottom of the cylinder, as

shown in dotted lines. It is also clear" that both the pressure and vacuum maybe simultaneously used, and in addition thereto, or with either the vacuum or pressure, a spring may be used around the pistml-rod, as shown in dotted lines. It is apparent that the spring might be used alone, if so desired, though this is not so advantageous.

Having nowdeseribed my invention, whatI claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters 1. The combination, in a machine, of the reciprocatin or travcrsin bed with a piston connected to and moved with said bed, acylinder in which said piston reciprocates pivoted. or hinged at one end to the frame or foundation plate of the machine.

2. The combination, in a machine, of the rcciprocatii'lg or traversing bed with a piston connected to and moved with said. bed, a cylinder having its end closed and provided with a relief-valve, and in which cylinder said piston reciprocates, and in which. the said cylinder is pivoted or hinged at one end to the frame or foundation of the machine.

3. The con'ibination, in a machine, of the reciprocating or traversing bed with a piston connected to and moved with said bed, a cylinder in which said piston reciproeates pivoted or hinged at one end to the frame of the machine, and springs to counterbalance and cause said cylinder to normally assume an upright or substantially vertical position.

i. The combination, in a machine, of the reciprocating or traversing bed with a piston connected to and moved with said bed, a cylinder in which. said piston reciprocates pivoted or hinged at one end to the frame or foundation of the machine, springs to cause said cylinder to normally assume an upright or substantially vertical position, and means to adjust the tension of said springs.

5. The combination of the reciprocating or traversing bed, a piston hinged to it on a transverse axis, and a cylinder closed at one end and hinged at or near its other end also on 9 5 a transverse axis, and in which the piston reciprocates, the said cylinder having an aperture at or near one end for the admission of air above the piston when fully lowered.

U. The combination oi? the reciprocating or traversing bed, a piston hinged to it on a transverse axis, a cylinder closed at one end and hinged at or near its other end also on a transverse axis in which the piston. reciproeates, the said cylinderhavin g an {tpOTtlllU at or near one end for the admission of ail-above the piston when fully lowered, and a pressure relief-valve at or near its closed end.

7. A reciprocating or traversing bed, com bined with a pivoted cylinder and. piston con- 1 1o nceted to and operated by the movements of the bed to compress air in the cylim'ler.

R. The combii'lation of a main Frame, a reciprocating traversing bed, and a spring eontinually acting on said traversing bed and always opposing its movmmlmt and tending to bring it to a central and lixed position.

In testimony oi which inventitm lhereunto set my hand. 

